CAF President Patrice Motsepe to attend Jayden Adams’ funeral

Confederation of African Football President Dr Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that he will attend the funeral of late South Africa international Jayden Adams as the African football community continues to mourn the midfielder.

Motsepe spoke about Adams during his press conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday, July 22, where he addressed several issues concerning CAF and African football, including the continent’s performance at the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup. The briefing was held at the Sandton Sun Hotel.

The CAF president indicated that he intends to personally attend Adams’ funeral as a show of support to the player’s family and the wider South African football community.

Adams died on July 11 at the age of 25, only weeks after representing Bafana Bafana at the World Cup. South African authorities opened an inquest into his death, with the cause not publicly confirmed at the time.

Following his passing, Motsepe had already issued a message of condolence on behalf of CAF and its 54 member associations.

The CAF statement expressed condolences to Adams’ family, the South African Football Association, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Adams was part of a historic South African team at the World Cup. He made three appearances as Bafana Bafana finished second in Group A and reached the knockout stages for the first time in the country’s history before losing 1-0 to co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32.

His achievements at club level were also significant. After beginning his senior career with Stellenbosch FC, Adams moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2025 and helped the Pretoria club win the 2025/26 CAF Champions League. He had also been part of the South African squad that finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Tributes have poured in since his death, including from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who remembered the midfielder for the contribution he made to his country at such a young age.

Motsepe’s decision to attend the funeral adds to the tributes for a player whose final international appearances came on football’s biggest stage.